Liquid door-check.



Patented June 27, I899.

A. A. PAGE. LIQUID DOOR CHECK.

(Application filed Dec. 9, 1898) 2 Sheets-Sheet I.

(No Model.)

uonms PETERS 00.. Pgmrouma. WASHINGTON, u. c.

No. 627,828. Patented June 27, I899.

A. A. PAGE.

LIQUID DOOR CHECK.

(Application mea'me. 9, 1698., (N9 Model.) 2 Shaw-Sheet 2.

F x k .0 fi 2 J9 if III UNITED STATES 'ATENT' Fries.

ALBERT A. PAGE, OF EAST HAVEN, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOR TO THE SARGENT & COMPANY, OF NEW HAVEN, CONNECTICUT.

LIQUID DOOR -CHECK SPECIFICATION formingpart of Letters Patent No. 627,828, dated June 2'7, 1899.

Application filed December 9, 1898- Serial No. 698,722. tlio model.)

T0 ail whom it may concern.- 4

Be it known that I, ALBERT A. PAGE, of East Haven, in the county of New Haven and State of Connecticut, have invented a new Improvement in Liquid Door-Checks; and I do hereby declare the following,when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings and the letters of reference marked thereon,

to be a full, clear, and exact description of the"- same, and which said drawings constitute part of this specification, and represent, in-

Figure 1, a perspective view of a liquid door-check embodying my invention; Fig. 1*, an enlarged broken view, in vertical section, on the line a b of Fig. 1 and showing the universaljoint connection between the outer end of the main or door lever and the outer end of the chambered arm of the adjustable jamb-lever; Fig. 2, a view in vertical longitudinal section through the cylinder of the. check, showing the plunger in its normal position, which is taken to be the position due to it when the door is closed; Fig. 2:, a detached broken plan view of the outerend of the adjusting-rod; Fig. 3, a detached reverse plan view of the adjusting-plug; Fig. 4, a view of the .check in transverse section through the cylinder and through the housing containing the spindle, which is shown in elevation; Fig. 5, a detached view, in side elevation, of the extension-spring; Fig. 6,21

spring-supportinghead; Fig. 4, a corresponding end view thereof; Fig. 8, a detached view,

in side elevation, of the outer spring-supporting head; Fig. 9,a corresponding end view thereof; Fig. 10, a detached view, in central longitudinal section, of the plunger stripped of all its associated parts except its ballvalves; and Fig. ll,a broken view of one of the modified forms which the adjusting-rod may assume. I 3

-My-inventio'n relates to an improvement in that class of liquid door-cliecks in which the spindle is located at a right angle to the cylinder and formed with a pinion meshing into a rack located upon the plunger which contains the spring through which the liquid is free to circulate, the object of my present invention being to produce a simple and com-. pact check constructed with particular reference to security against leakage, to provision for adjusting the tension of the spring, and

to regulating the transfer of the liquid from cons-tructiomas will be hereinafter described,

and pointed out in the claims. I

In carrying out my invention, as herein shown, I employ a spindle A, journaled in a I housing B, formed upon the inner .face of and at a right angle to the cylinder 0 of the check. A foot B, formed integral with the housing and constituting longitudinal extensions thereof, provides for the attachment of the check to the door. The said spindle is secured in place within its housing B by means of a bearing-nut A and packed by a packingmut A The said spindle is provided with a pinion A ,which may be mounted upon it or formed integral withit, my preference being for the formation of a cut-leaf pinion upon the spindle. This pinion meshes into a rack D, formed by facingdown and transversely cutting a portion of the exterior face .of the plunger-D, located within the cylinder G,- i n which the plunger is moved back and forth by the rotation of the spindle. The plunger itself is traversed bya relatively large longitudinal opening or chamber Dilocated to one side of'its axial center, as shown in Fig. 4,

so as to leave the stock required for cutting away a portion of its surfaeeand forming the rack before mentioned. Within this plungerI locate a'heavy eXten'sion-springE, and I may here explain that by extension-spring I mean a spring in which the coils lie close "together'and which operates by contraction after extension instead of by extension after compression. I call particular attention to the fact that this spring is smaller in its exterior diameter than the interior diameter of the chamber D within the plunger. this construction the springnever engages Under with the walls .of the chamber, so as to create any friction 'or produce any noise. 'The said spring is mounted upon a heavy rod F, extending throughout the length of the cylinder and located a little to one side of the axial center thereof. This rod I shall hereinafter call an adjusting-rod, on account of the function it performs in adjusting the tension of the spring. It also forms aliquid conduit for transferring the liquid under pressure from one end of the cylinder to the other.

For the purpose of mounting the spring upon the rod F, I employ two spring-supporting heads G and H. The said head G is interiorly screw-threaded for the reception of the screw F, formed by reducing and threading the inner end of the rod F. The threads of the said screw terminate within its extreme end, so as -to form a bearing F which enters a step or recess 0, formed in the inner face and to one side of the center of the integral head 0 which forms the pressure end of the cylinder 0. The said head G is formed upon its periphery with a spiral groove G, adapted to receive one or more of the inner coils of the spring. I may here explain that the head G is made a trifle larger than the internal diameter of the spring, which must be opened a little to receive the head, which is thus gripped by the spring. A radially-arranged stop-pin G is mounted in the head in position to be abutted against by the extreme inner end of the spring, which is thus prevented from rotating upon the head when the formed upon, its exterior facewith a groove H which receives one or more of the coils at the outer end of the spring, which is made enough smaller than the headso as to grip the same, as already explained for the head G. This head H is formed with a bearing H which rests within a bearing-opening D formed within the outer-end of the plunger. This bearing merges into an exteriorlythreaded hub H, which projects forward through the bearing-opening D for the reception of a bindingnut I, which bears against the outerface of the outerend of the plunger and firmly secures the head H therein. For the purpose of preventing the head H from rotating within the outer end of the plunger I form it with a radially-arranged stop-pin 1-1 which enters a notch D formed to receive it and leading out'of the bearingopening D The outer end of the rod F is formed with a flange or shoulder F which supports a packing-washer J, entering a recess J, formed to receive it, in the removable cap K, which is secured to the open outer end of the cylinder The projecting end of the rod is made hexagonal, as at F for the reception of a wrench for turning it in the adjustment of the spring E, as will be described" later on.

To adapt the rod to perform its function of a conduit, it is formed with an axial passagef, which extends inward from its outer end to about its center and terminates at a point within the plunger in a lateral inlet-portf, which opens into the plunger and provides for the inlet of the liquid into the passage f, which is formed near its outer end with a lateral outlet-port f opening directly into the outer end of the cylinder. For the purpose of regulating the virtual size of the outletport f I employ an adjustable vent-plug M, having an axial passage M and a lateral passage M the former being in line with .the passagef and the latter with the outlet-port f It will of course be understood that by rotating the plug M within the rod the outletports M and f are brought into full or partial registration, whereby the virtual size of the outlet-port f may be controlled as desired. The vent-plug M is secured in place by means of a nut N, which is threaded into the projecting outer end of the rod and screwed down upon a packing-ring N, while the plug is turned by means of a button N applied to the squared outer end of a stem M forming'an extension of the plug and projecting outward through the nut N.

For the purpose of permitting the liquid to be transferred with little or no resistance from the outer to-the inner end of the cylinder when the door is being opened I form the outer end of the plunger with an opening 0, receiving a ball-valve 0, held in "place by a pin 0 The inner end of the plunger is formed with a corresponding opening I, receiving a ballvalve P, heldin place by a pin P These openingsO and P lead into and out of the interior of the plunger. not necessarily, I also form a small opening Preferably, though Q in the outer end of the plunger, so as to lead into the chambered housing B around the pinion A and into the space in which the rack .D is located. This opening Q provides for equalizing the pressure in the spaces just mentioned and prevents the formation of anyback pressure therein.

For the adjustment ofthe extension-spring the rod in the opposite direction the head will be caused to move inward andlessen the tension upon the spring. In this way the tension of the spring may be regulated to the exact requirements of the Work to bedone and entirely through the outer end of thecylinder, which is not the end of, the cylinder where the heavy pressure of the liquid occurs. This construction is therefore to be preferred over any construction which contemplates the adjustment of the spring through the inner or pressure end of the cylinder.

The spring having been adjusted in tension to meet the requirements of the door to which the check is applied, it may be assumed that the door is closed, in which case the plunger will be located in the inner end of the cylinder and the major part at least of the liquid in the outer end thereof. Now when the door is opened and the plunger is started in its movement from the inner to the outer end of the cylinder the ballvalves O and Pwill immediately open, so as to allow the liquid to gush through the ports 0 and P and therefore into and out of the plunger, the liquid being in this way transferred to the inner end of the cylinder, where practically all of it will be located when the door is fully opened. Now when the door begins its closing movement the ball-valves O and P will be immediately closed and the liquid placed under heavy pressure, which will be sustained until the door is closed. During the closing of the door the liquid is very slowly transferred from the intransferred not only through the inlet-portf,

the passage f,-and the outlet-port f but will escape also through the bore H, formed in the spring-supporting head H, until cut off by the movement of the said head inward to a point where its bore 11' is so nearly closed by the rod that little or no liquid will escape between them. The same result might be accomplished by forming a tapering groove or recess directly in the outer end of the rod without tapering the same, as shown in Fig. 11, which represents the rod as provided with a tapering recess f With myimproved check I may employ any suitable means for connecting its spindle A but also flexibly, to compensate forinequalities in the opening movement of the door by a connection of the universal-joint type,which I have improved. I

My improvement consists in forming the outer end of the'lever R with a cup-shaped bearing T, receiving a cup T, formed at the outer end of the arm S. The lever and arm are connected by means of a ball-like rivet U, fitting into the cup T and passing downward into the cup-shaped bearin g T, in which it is riveted, through an opening U, formed in the bottom of the cup T and made enough larger than the stem of the rivet to permit considerable flexibility or play between the parts; but I would have it understood that I do not necessarily employ this particular form of connection in conjunction with the other features of my improved check, or vice .versa.

In view of the changes suggested and of others which may obviously be made, I would have it understood that I do not limit myself to the precise construction herein shown, but hold myself at liberty to make such changes therein as fairly fall within the spirit and scope of my invention.

Having fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a liquid door-check, the combination with the cylinder thereof, of a plunger located therein, a single extension-spring arranged concentrically within the plunger, and means for supporting the said spring at its ends, and

for adjusting it in tension, the said spring being extended by the opening of the door which is closed by the power exerted by the spring in contracting.

2. Ina liquid door-check, the combination concentrically within the said plunger, means i for supporting the said spring by its ends, and adjusting devices extending through the said cap for adjusting the said spring in tension through the medium of one of itsend supports, the said spring being extended by the opening of the door, which is closed by the power exerted by the spring in contracting. 3. In a liquid door-check, the combination with the cylinder thereof, of a chambered plunger located therein, a single extensionspring arranged concentrically within the said plunger, means for supporting the spring by its ends, an adjusting-rod passing centrally through the plunger and spring, supported at its ends in the ends of the cylinder, and adjustably connected at its inner end with the support for the inner end of the spring for adjusting the same in tension, the spring being extended by the opening of the door,which is closed by the power exerted by the spring in contracting.

4. In a liquid door-check, the combination with the cylinder thereof, of a chambered plungerlocated therein, aspring located within the plunger, an adjusting-rod extending through the spring and plunger and supported at its ends in the ends of the cylinder, and spring-supporting heads mounted upon the said rod and entered into the opposite ends of the said spring which is adjusted in tension by the said rod through the medium of one of the said heads.

5. In a liquid door-check, the combination with the cylinder thereof, of a chambered plungerlocated therein, a spriuglocated within the said plunger, an adjusting-rod passing through the spring and plunger, supported at its ends in the ends of the cylinder, and having its inner end formed witha screw, and a spring-supporting head entered into the inner end of the spring and mounted upon the threaded inner end of the rod by which it is moved back and forth when the rod is rotated for adjusting the tension of the spring.

6. In a liquid door-check, the combination with the cylinder thereof, of a chambered plunger located therein, a spring located within the plunger, an adjusting-rod extending through the spring and plunger, supported at its ends in the ends of the cylinder, and having its inner end formed with screwthreads, an inner spring-supporting head mounted upon the threaded portion of the rod and entering the inner end of the spring which it adjusts in tension when the rod is turned in one direction or the other, and an outer spring-supportin g head entered into the outer end of the spring, and having bearing in an opening formed to receive it in the outer end of the plunger to which it is secured.

7. In a liquid door-check, the combination with the cylinder thereof, of a chambered plunger located therein, a spring located within the plunger, an adj Listing-rod extending through the spring and plunger and supported at its ends in the ends of the cylinder, a spring-supporting head located upon the inner end of the rod by which it is moved for changing the tension of the spring, and a spring-supporting head mounted upon the rod, entering the outer end of the spring, and having bearing in the outer end of the plunger beyond which it projects, and a nut applied to the threaded projecting end of the said head for securing it to the outer end of the plunger.

8. In a liquid door-check, the combination with the cylinder thereof, of a chambered plunger located therein, an extension-spring arranged concentrically within the plunger, means for supporting the spring by its ends, an adj listing-rod extending centrallythrough the spring and plunger, supported at its ends in the ends of the cylinder, through the outer end of which the outer end of the rod projects, and formed with a liquid-passage having an inlet-port and an outlet-port, and an adjustable vent-plug located in the outer end of the said rod, and adjustable in position from the outside of the cylinder, and provided for regulating the outlet-port in the said rod.

9. In a liquid door-check, the combination with the cylinder thereof, of a chambered plunger located therein, an extension-spring located concentrically in the said plunger,"

means for supporting the spring by its ends, a rod extending centrally through the spring and plunger, supported at its ends in the ends of the cylinder, and having its forward por tion constructed and adapted to permit the liquid to be discharged between its exterior surface and the forward end support of the spring during the closing movement of the door until the door is nearly closed, and then shut off.

10. In a liquid door-check, the combination with the cylinder thereof, of a chambered plunger located therein, an extension-spring located concentrically within the plunger, means for supporting the spring by its ends, and a rod passing centrally through the spring and plunger, supported at its ends in the ends of the cylinder, and having its forward portion tapered to permit the'liquid to escape between it and the outer end support of the spring while the door is being closed, and until the door is nearly closed, at which time the taper stops and shuts off further escape of liquid between the said support and the exterior surface of the rod.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

ALBERT A. PAGE.

\Vitnesses:

WILLIAM S. CooKE, CHARLES L. BALDWIN. 

